Mycorrhizal fungi control phosphorus value in trade symbiosis with host roots when exposed to abrupt 'crashes' and 'booms' of resource availability.

ABSTRACT: Biological market theory provides a conceptual framework to analyse trade strategies in symbiotic partnerships. A key prediction of biological market theory is that individuals can influence resource value - meaning the amount a partner is willing to pay for it - by mediating where and when it is traded. The arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis, characterised by roots and fungi trading phosphorus and carbon, shows many features of a biological market. However, it is unknown if or how fungi can control phosphorus value when exposed to abrupt changes in their trade environment. We mimicked an economic 'crash', manually severing part of the fungal network (Rhizophagus irregularis) to restrict resource access, and an economic 'boom' through phosphorus additions. We quantified trading strategies ov

SUBMITTER: Van't Padje A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7898638 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature